Should I Informally review Coworkers?

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During various private meetings with my immediate supervisor, he has asked me to describe the performance of co-workers. These are usually people who have been 'targeted' as potentially expendable. My co-workers and I are all bottom-tier employees and I possess no special/managerial title.



Should I answer truthfully about my opinion of their work, or is it okay to dismiss all of these types of questions with "He/She is doing fine."? I personally like all of the people involved.



Edit: Would it make any difference if there have been talks about me getting a promotion to a supervisor position. Could it be seen as a test for how I evaluate people? Or does this come down to 'don't do it' no matter how you look at it?







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  • Interesting to see how this whole situation developed, considering your follow-up question.
    – mike
    Jul 12 '13 at 14:51










  • He might ask for the same information about you from your co-workers.
    – pmf
    Nov 30 '17 at 13:36
















up vote
8
down vote

favorite












During various private meetings with my immediate supervisor, he has asked me to describe the performance of co-workers. These are usually people who have been 'targeted' as potentially expendable. My co-workers and I are all bottom-tier employees and I possess no special/managerial title.



Should I answer truthfully about my opinion of their work, or is it okay to dismiss all of these types of questions with "He/She is doing fine."? I personally like all of the people involved.



Edit: Would it make any difference if there have been talks about me getting a promotion to a supervisor position. Could it be seen as a test for how I evaluate people? Or does this come down to 'don't do it' no matter how you look at it?







share|improve this question






















  • Interesting to see how this whole situation developed, considering your follow-up question.
    – mike
    Jul 12 '13 at 14:51










  • He might ask for the same information about you from your co-workers.
    – pmf
    Nov 30 '17 at 13:36












up vote
8
down vote

favorite









up vote
8
down vote

favorite











During various private meetings with my immediate supervisor, he has asked me to describe the performance of co-workers. These are usually people who have been 'targeted' as potentially expendable. My co-workers and I are all bottom-tier employees and I possess no special/managerial title.



Should I answer truthfully about my opinion of their work, or is it okay to dismiss all of these types of questions with "He/She is doing fine."? I personally like all of the people involved.



Edit: Would it make any difference if there have been talks about me getting a promotion to a supervisor position. Could it be seen as a test for how I evaluate people? Or does this come down to 'don't do it' no matter how you look at it?







share|improve this question














During various private meetings with my immediate supervisor, he has asked me to describe the performance of co-workers. These are usually people who have been 'targeted' as potentially expendable. My co-workers and I are all bottom-tier employees and I possess no special/managerial title.



Should I answer truthfully about my opinion of their work, or is it okay to dismiss all of these types of questions with "He/She is doing fine."? I personally like all of the people involved.



Edit: Would it make any difference if there have been talks about me getting a promotion to a supervisor position. Could it be seen as a test for how I evaluate people? Or does this come down to 'don't do it' no matter how you look at it?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Jun 19 '13 at 16:58









IDrinkandIKnowThings

43.9k1398188




43.9k1398188










asked May 29 '13 at 12:33









jmorc

775818




775818











  • Interesting to see how this whole situation developed, considering your follow-up question.
    – mike
    Jul 12 '13 at 14:51










  • He might ask for the same information about you from your co-workers.
    – pmf
    Nov 30 '17 at 13:36
















  • Interesting to see how this whole situation developed, considering your follow-up question.
    – mike
    Jul 12 '13 at 14:51










  • He might ask for the same information about you from your co-workers.
    – pmf
    Nov 30 '17 at 13:36















Interesting to see how this whole situation developed, considering your follow-up question.
– mike
Jul 12 '13 at 14:51




Interesting to see how this whole situation developed, considering your follow-up question.
– mike
Jul 12 '13 at 14:51












He might ask for the same information about you from your co-workers.
– pmf
Nov 30 '17 at 13:36




He might ask for the same information about you from your co-workers.
– pmf
Nov 30 '17 at 13:36










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
10
down vote



accepted










Honestly, only you can answer this. If you feel comfortable providing a review then do so, otherwise don't but here is my take on the situation.



You have nothing to gain from this interaction that I can see. If they are already earmarked as expendable then they are probably just looking for ways to get rid of them. If you say anything that agrees with them, chances are you will be the scape goat for their dismissal.



"We had reviews that your work was not up to standards etc etc"



You can of course honestly answer dismissively



"I'm sorry, whilst I work with X I don't set their targets nor do I review their work loads. I can say however that they are a delight to work with and usually respond quickly with useful information"



An important point to remember is:



-Don't lie, this will never end well if you lie about them, you are more likely to hurt their employment as well as your own



Personally I would go with If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.



For a few good reasons. Mainly is that they came to you, showing they already have things against this employee, anything negative you add will likely be held against you.



Those are reasons not to do it but if you still choose to give a review then i offer this:



Make sure any criticism you give is constructive criticism.



There is nothing to gain from saying "X is bad at Y"



There is plenty to gain from "X could improve on Y by doing Z" as this shows how that employee can easily change to remain constructive, this says, this guy is helpful, here is how to keep him around, rather than, this guy is useless, get rid of him.



Hope this helps






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    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes








    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    10
    down vote



    accepted










    Honestly, only you can answer this. If you feel comfortable providing a review then do so, otherwise don't but here is my take on the situation.



    You have nothing to gain from this interaction that I can see. If they are already earmarked as expendable then they are probably just looking for ways to get rid of them. If you say anything that agrees with them, chances are you will be the scape goat for their dismissal.



    "We had reviews that your work was not up to standards etc etc"



    You can of course honestly answer dismissively



    "I'm sorry, whilst I work with X I don't set their targets nor do I review their work loads. I can say however that they are a delight to work with and usually respond quickly with useful information"



    An important point to remember is:



    -Don't lie, this will never end well if you lie about them, you are more likely to hurt their employment as well as your own



    Personally I would go with If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.



    For a few good reasons. Mainly is that they came to you, showing they already have things against this employee, anything negative you add will likely be held against you.



    Those are reasons not to do it but if you still choose to give a review then i offer this:



    Make sure any criticism you give is constructive criticism.



    There is nothing to gain from saying "X is bad at Y"



    There is plenty to gain from "X could improve on Y by doing Z" as this shows how that employee can easily change to remain constructive, this says, this guy is helpful, here is how to keep him around, rather than, this guy is useless, get rid of him.



    Hope this helps






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      10
      down vote



      accepted










      Honestly, only you can answer this. If you feel comfortable providing a review then do so, otherwise don't but here is my take on the situation.



      You have nothing to gain from this interaction that I can see. If they are already earmarked as expendable then they are probably just looking for ways to get rid of them. If you say anything that agrees with them, chances are you will be the scape goat for their dismissal.



      "We had reviews that your work was not up to standards etc etc"



      You can of course honestly answer dismissively



      "I'm sorry, whilst I work with X I don't set their targets nor do I review their work loads. I can say however that they are a delight to work with and usually respond quickly with useful information"



      An important point to remember is:



      -Don't lie, this will never end well if you lie about them, you are more likely to hurt their employment as well as your own



      Personally I would go with If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.



      For a few good reasons. Mainly is that they came to you, showing they already have things against this employee, anything negative you add will likely be held against you.



      Those are reasons not to do it but if you still choose to give a review then i offer this:



      Make sure any criticism you give is constructive criticism.



      There is nothing to gain from saying "X is bad at Y"



      There is plenty to gain from "X could improve on Y by doing Z" as this shows how that employee can easily change to remain constructive, this says, this guy is helpful, here is how to keep him around, rather than, this guy is useless, get rid of him.



      Hope this helps






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        10
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        10
        down vote



        accepted






        Honestly, only you can answer this. If you feel comfortable providing a review then do so, otherwise don't but here is my take on the situation.



        You have nothing to gain from this interaction that I can see. If they are already earmarked as expendable then they are probably just looking for ways to get rid of them. If you say anything that agrees with them, chances are you will be the scape goat for their dismissal.



        "We had reviews that your work was not up to standards etc etc"



        You can of course honestly answer dismissively



        "I'm sorry, whilst I work with X I don't set their targets nor do I review their work loads. I can say however that they are a delight to work with and usually respond quickly with useful information"



        An important point to remember is:



        -Don't lie, this will never end well if you lie about them, you are more likely to hurt their employment as well as your own



        Personally I would go with If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.



        For a few good reasons. Mainly is that they came to you, showing they already have things against this employee, anything negative you add will likely be held against you.



        Those are reasons not to do it but if you still choose to give a review then i offer this:



        Make sure any criticism you give is constructive criticism.



        There is nothing to gain from saying "X is bad at Y"



        There is plenty to gain from "X could improve on Y by doing Z" as this shows how that employee can easily change to remain constructive, this says, this guy is helpful, here is how to keep him around, rather than, this guy is useless, get rid of him.



        Hope this helps






        share|improve this answer












        Honestly, only you can answer this. If you feel comfortable providing a review then do so, otherwise don't but here is my take on the situation.



        You have nothing to gain from this interaction that I can see. If they are already earmarked as expendable then they are probably just looking for ways to get rid of them. If you say anything that agrees with them, chances are you will be the scape goat for their dismissal.



        "We had reviews that your work was not up to standards etc etc"



        You can of course honestly answer dismissively



        "I'm sorry, whilst I work with X I don't set their targets nor do I review their work loads. I can say however that they are a delight to work with and usually respond quickly with useful information"



        An important point to remember is:



        -Don't lie, this will never end well if you lie about them, you are more likely to hurt their employment as well as your own



        Personally I would go with If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.



        For a few good reasons. Mainly is that they came to you, showing they already have things against this employee, anything negative you add will likely be held against you.



        Those are reasons not to do it but if you still choose to give a review then i offer this:



        Make sure any criticism you give is constructive criticism.



        There is nothing to gain from saying "X is bad at Y"



        There is plenty to gain from "X could improve on Y by doing Z" as this shows how that employee can easily change to remain constructive, this says, this guy is helpful, here is how to keep him around, rather than, this guy is useless, get rid of him.



        Hope this helps







        share|improve this answer












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        answered May 29 '13 at 12:59









        Rhys

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